Power-Line Communications

ABSTRACT

Methods, systems, and products bridge wireless data transmissions with power-line communications. Should a failure occur in alternating current power, a backup battery maintains the power-line communications. Direct current battery power is used to power a wireless transceiver, thus maintaining both wireless data transmissions and communication during power failures.

COPYRIGHT NOTIFICATION

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document and its attachmentscontain material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyrightowner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of thepatent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patentand Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves allcopyrights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

Security systems are common in homes and businesses. A security systemalerts occupants to intrusions, fire, and other hazards. Securitysystems, though, are sometimes difficult to install and inoperableduring an electrical outage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the exemplaryembodiments are better understood when the following DetailedDescription is read with reference to the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIGS. 1-2 illustrate a conventional installation of a security system;

FIG. 3 is a simple schematic illustrating an installation solution,according to exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a simple schematic illustrating battery backup, according toexemplary embodiments;

FIGS. 5-7 are more detailed schematics illustrating the installationsolution, according to exemplary embodiments;

FIGS. 8-9 are schematics illustrating a portable bridge unit, accordingto exemplary embodiments;

FIGS. 10-12 are schematics illustrating another bridging solution,according to exemplary embodiments;

FIGS. 13-14 are schematics illustrating more details of power-linecommunications, according to exemplary embodiments;

FIGS. 15-16 are flowcharts illustrating a method or algorithm forpower-line communications, according to exemplary embodiments; and

FIG. 17 is a schematic illustrating another operating environment,according to still more exemplary embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafterwith reference to the accompanying drawings. The exemplary embodimentsmay, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not beconstrued as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete and will fully convey the exemplary embodiments to those ofordinary skill in the art. Moreover, all statements herein recitingembodiments, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended toencompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof.Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include bothcurrently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in thefuture (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function,regardless of structure).

Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill inthe art that the diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the likerepresent conceptual views or processes illustrating the exemplaryembodiments. The functions of the various elements shown in the figuresmay be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well ashardware capable of executing associated software. Those of ordinaryskill in the art further understand that the exemplary hardware,software, processes, methods, and/or operating systems described hereinare for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not intended to be limitedto any particular named manufacturer.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless expressly stated otherwise. Itwill be further understood that the terms “includes,” “comprises,”“including,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification,specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It will be understood thatwhen an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” toanother element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the otherelement or intervening elements may be present. Furthermore, “connected”or “coupled” as used herein may include wirelessly connected or coupled.As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations ofone or more of the associated listed items.

It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc.may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements shouldnot be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguishone element from another. For example, a first device could be termed asecond device, and, similarly, a second device could be termed a firstdevice without departing from the teachings of the disclosure.

FIGS. 1-2 illustrate a conventional installation of a security system20. FIGS. 1-2 illustrate the security system 20 installed in a building22, such as a home or business. The security system 20 has an alarmcontroller 24 that receives information from one or more alarm sensors26, cameras 28, and/or microphones 30. As the reader likely understands,the security system 20 monitors for heat, smoke, motion, gases, sound,or any other physical or logical parameter that may indicate a securityevent. Should sensory inputs indicate an alarm condition 32 (such asdetection of an intrusion or other emergency), the security system 20generates an alarm message 34. The alarm system 20 has a wirelesstransceiver 36 that transmits the alarm message 34 to a wireless accesspoint 38, such as a cellular base station. The alarm message 34 is thenrouted and processed to alert emergency personnel, as is known.

Installation, though, often compromises radio reception. As FIG. 2illustrates, the alarm controller 24 is usually mounted inside a cabinet40, which nearly all customers prefer hidden from view. For example,some customers prefer the cabinet 40 installed in a concealed basementlocation (illustrated as reference numeral 42). Other customers preferthe cabinet 40 installed in closets, utility rooms, and other concealedlocations. These concealed installations, though, often compromisewireless reception. For example, cellular data signal strength in theseconcealed locations is sometimes too weak to reliably transmit fire andintrusion alarms using cellular data. Other wireless technologies andstandards (such as BLUETOOTH® and WI-FI®) also suffer from weak wirelessreception at these concealed installations. The installing technician isthus often compelled to remotely install the wireless transceiver 36near a window, outside wall, or in an attic (illustrated as referencenumeral 44) to obtain adequate cellular data signal strength. Previouslythese remote installations require a new run of cable (illustrated asreference numeral 46) from the alarm controller 24, which is veryexpensive and may damage internal plumbing and other structures.

FIG. 3 is a simple schematic illustrating an installation solution,according to exemplary embodiments. Exemplary embodiments utilizeexisting electrical wiring to provide communications between the alarmcontroller 24 and the wireless transceiver 36. That is, the alarmcontroller 24 and the wireless transceiver 36 communicate usingpower-line communications (or “PLC”) 50 over the existing electricalwiring (not shown for simplicity). In simple words, the alarm controller24 receives electrical power from a nearby conventional socket-typereceptacle outlet 52 a, which later paragraphs will explain. Thewireless transceiver 36 also receives electrical power from its nearbyconventional socket-type receptacle outlet 52 b, which the laterparagraphs will also explain. The alarm controller 24 and the wirelesstransceiver 36 thus send and receive both data and electrical powerusing the electrical wiring in the home or office. So, when the alarmcontroller 24 sends the alarm message 34, the alarm message 34propagates along an electrical connection between the receptacle outlet52 a and the receptacle outlet 52 b. The alarm message 44, in otherwords, conveys into the receptacle outlet 52 a and along the electricalwiring to the receptacle outlet 52 b for receipt by the wirelesstransceiver 36.

Installation is thus greatly simplified. Power-line communications 50allows the wireless transceiver 36 to be remotely installed from thecabinet 40 (containing the alarm controller 24). The alarm controller 24may be thus installed in most any concealed location (such as thebasement 42), and yet the wireless transceiver 36 may be separately andremotely located for optimum reception. FIG. 3 illustrates the wirelesstransceiver 36 installed at the receptacle outlet 52 b in the attic 44,which is often a location of adequate radio reception. However, thewireless transceiver 36 may be remotely installed at any interior orexterior location desired. As long as any conventional receptacle outlet52 is proximate the wireless transceiver 36, the power-linecommunications 50 allows the alarm controller 24 and the wirelesstransceiver 36 to communicate data and messages. Exemplary embodimentsthus speed and simplify installation by eliminating a new run of cablefrom the alarm controller 24.

Signal reception is also improved. Because the wireless transceiver 36is remotely installed, the wireless transceiver 36 may be located forbest radio reception. Security services often utilize cellular data asthe primary technology for the communication of Life Safety Alarms (Fireand Intrusion) to a central monitoring station. Conventionally, acellular data transceiver is installed inside the security cabinet 40alongside the alarm controller 24. Exemplary embodiments, instead, allowthe wireless transceiver 36 to be remotely installed where wirelessreception is best. For example, an installing technician may roam thecustomer's premises and determine the best location for the bestreceived signal strength indicator (or “RSSI”). The installingtechnician thus optimizes the location of the wireless transceiver 36independently from optimizing the location of the alarm controller 24.

FIG. 4 is a simple schematic illustrating battery backup, according toexemplary embodiments. Even though the power-line communications 50improve installation and reception, the power-line communications 50 maybe susceptible to an electrical outage. As the reader likelyunderstands, the security system 20 requires electricity to operate.That is, the alarm controller 24 operates when alternating current(“AC”) electrical power is received from the electrical receptacleoutlet 52 a. The remote wireless transceiver 36 also operates when theAC electrical power is received from the electrical receptacle outlet 52b. However, when an electrical outage occurs, no electrical power isreceived from the outlets 52 a and 52 b. The alarm controller 24 and thewireless transceiver 36 may be unable to operate, thus comprising thesecurity of the occupants.

Exemplary embodiments maintain the power-line communications 50. As FIG.4 illustrates, the alarm controller 24 may have a backup battery 60 thatprovides electrical power to a bi-modal modem 62. The backup battery 60is preferably charged (or recharged) when the alternating current (“AC”)electrical power is received. Nonetheless, the bi-modal modem 62 mayhave two operating modes. When electrical power is present on theelectrical wiring 64, then the bi-modal modem 62 may operate as apower-line communications (“PLC”) modem. However, during an electricaloutage (when no electrical power is present on the electrical wiring64), then the bi-modal modem 62 may operate as a modulator/demodulatorusing battery backup power 60. The wireless transceiver 36 may also haveits own backup battery 60 that provides electrical power to its bi-modalmodem 62. These backup batteries 60 maintain the data communications 50between the alarm controller 24 and the wireless transceiver 36. So,even though a power outage may occur, each bi-modal modem 62 remainsoperational, thus maintaining the data communications 50 between thealarm controller 24 and the wireless transceiver 36. The electricalwiring 64 can be utilized for communication between the bi-modal modems62 during electrical outages, thus maintaining messaging and signalingbetween the alarm controller 24 and the wireless transceiver 36. Thealarm controller 24 remains in communication with the remote wirelesstransceiver 38, thus maintaining important security functions duringelectrical outages. The electrical wiring 64 can be utilized forcommunication between the bi-modal modems 62 during electrical outages,thus allowing the alarm message 34 to convey from the alarm controller24 to the wireless transceiver 36.

Exemplary embodiments enhance safety and security. During electricaloutages wherein there is little or no electrical energy on theelectrical wiring 64, the bi-modal modems 62 recognize the power outageand may change their mode of operation to operate asmodulator/demodulator devices communicating over the electrical wiring64 using backup battery power 60. When operating asmodulator/demodulator devices during an electrical outage, a signalgenerator in one of the bi-modal modems 62 may modulate a data signalonto the electrical wiring 64. A signal receiver in the other one of thebi-modal modems 62 may receive the modulated signal and performdemodulation. Each of the bi-modal modems 62 may sequentially oralternatively revert between modulator and demodulator to enable two-waycommunication. One of the bi-modal modems 62 may also provide asynchronization timer to facilitate two-way communication. Exemplaryembodiments thus remain compliant with standard UL 985, which specifiesrequirements for household fire warning system units. In simple words,UL 985 requires that the security system 20 operate for a minimum oftwenty four (24) hours and four (4) minutes during a local AC powerfailure. Backup battery power keeps the bi-modal modems 62 operational,so the security system 20 continues to operate during electricaloutages.

FIGS. 5-7 are more detailed schematics illustrating the installationsolution, according to exemplary embodiments. FIGS. 5-6 illustrate thewireless transceiver 36 as a portable, compact, and self-containedbridge unit 70. FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of the bridge unit70. The bridge unit 70 has an outer housing or enclosure 72 thatinternally contains its componentry. The bridge unit 70 houses cellularradio circuitry 74, power circuitry 76, and the bi-modal modem 62. Whilethe housing or enclosure 72 may have any shape and configuration, thebridge unit 70 is preferably about 2×2×2 cubic inches, thus convenientlyfitting within the palm of a human hand. The bridge unit 70 has parallelmale blades or pins 76 that insert into the receptacles 78 of thereceptacle outlet 52. When the bridge unit 70 conventionally plugs intothe receptacle outlet 52, the power circuitry 76 receives AC electricalpower. The power circuitry 76 converts the AC electrical power intodirect current (“DC”) electrical power. The power circuitry 76 thusprovides electrical power to the bi-modal modem 62 for sending andreceiving both power and data using the power-line communications 50.The power circuitry 76 also provides electrical power to the radiocircuitry 74 for sending and receiving cellular data signals.

The bridge unit 70 thus provides functional bridging of differentcommunications standards. The bridge unit 70 receives electrical powerand data using the power-line communications 50. The bridge unit 70 thustransforms the data (received using the power-line communications 50)into cellular data signals for wireless transmission using the radiocircuitry 72. The bridge unit 70 thus functionally bridges power-linecommunications to cellular data communications. During local electricalpower outages the bridge unit 70 operates as a modulator/demodulator,enabling data communication with the Alarm Controller 24.

As FIG. 7 also illustrates, the bridge unit 70 may also internallycontain the backup battery 60. When the bridge unit 70 detects a failureof the AC electrical power from the receptacle outlet 52, the bridgeunit 70 may switch an electrical connection to the backup battery 60.The backup battery 60 thus provides direct current electrical power tothe bi-modal modem 62 to enable communications 50 during an electricaloutage. The backup battery 60 may also provide the direct currentelectrical power to the radio circuitry 74, thus maintaining cellulardata transmissions capability during the electrical outage. The backupbattery 60 may also provide direct current electrical power to the powercircuitry 76, if needed or desired. The bridge unit 70 may also includea processor 78 and memory 80 for determining an electrical outage, aslater paragraphs will further explain.

FIGS. 8-9 are schematics further illustrating the portable bridge unit70, according to exemplary embodiments. Here the bridge unit 70 mayinclude radio enhancements for cellular communications. FIG. 8illustrates the bridge unit 70 inserted into the receptacle outlet 52. Afirst visual indicator 90 (such as a light emitting diode) illuminatesto confirm the AC electrical power (illustrated as reference numeral 92)is received from the receptacle outlet 52. A “green” light, for example,indicates AC power is received from the receptacle outlet 52. A “red”light, though, may indicate no AC electrical power is detected, so thebridge unit 70 may be operable using the internal backup battery 60. Asecond visual indicator 94 (such as another light emitting diode)illuminates (green or red) to confirm the power-line communications 50are operating. A third visual indicator 96 (such as more light emittingdiodes) illuminates to indicate cellular operation. The bridge unit 70may even have internal circuitry and programming for determining asignal strength of cellular data signals received from a nearby basestation antenna (such as the wireless access point 38, illustrated inFIG. 1). FIG. 8 also illustrates a received signal strength indicator(or “RSSI”), such as the familiar bar graph 98. When the bridge unit 70is plugged into the receptacle outlet 52, the bridge unit 70 may thusautomatically determine and visually indicate the RSSI for cellularsignals at that physical location.

FIG. 9 illustrates installation of the portable bridge unit 70. FIG. 9schematically illustrates the building 22 as a residential home havingmany receptacle outlets 52 throughout its different floors and rooms. Aninstalling technician merely activates the backup battery 60 in thepocket-sized bridge unit 70 and walks throughout the building 22. Eventhough the bridge unit 70 is not plugged into one of the receptacleoutlets 52, the bridge unit 70 still operates under battery power (asabove explained). The installing technician walks throughout thebuilding 22 and monitors for a strong cellular RSSI at any one of thereceptacle outlets 52. FIG. 9, for example, illustrates the bridge unit70 proximate the electrical outlet 52 in the attic 44, which may oftenbe a location of desired cellular reception. The installing technician,however, may choose any other receptacle outlet 52 near a window orexterior wall. Regardless, once an acceptable RSSI is observed, theinstalling technician then selects the corresponding receptacle outlet52 and plugs in the bridge unit 70. The portable bridge unit 70 thusreceives a strong cellular signal for wireless transmission/reception ofalarm messages. As the bridge unit 70 is now receiving AC electricalpower from the receptacle outlet 54, the portable bridge unit 70 mayalso revert or switch to AC operation.

Exemplary embodiments thus provide a PLC-to-CDT bridge. The bridge unit70 functions as both a power supply and a wireless cellular datatransceiver (or “CDT”). The bridge unit 70 thus converts cellular datasignals to power-line communications or to modem communication duringloss of electrical power. The bridge unit 70 also receives power-linecommunications and converts to cellular data. Exemplary embodiments thusoperationally act as self-contained PLC-to-CDT bridging device.Installation time is greatly reduced, as new wire is not needed.Moreover, the quality of the installation is improved without damagingexisting wiring and plumbing. The bridge unit 70 enables independentoptimization of the location of the cellular data transceiver,independent of the alarm controller 24. The bridge unit 70 may thus beremotely located from the alarm controller 24 to maintain acceptablewireless reception. Remote location of the bridge unit 70 thus reduces,or eliminates, installation of signal repeaters and minimizes, oreliminates, wireless downtime (offline) issues. Moreover, as the bridgeunit 70 may be optimally located (using the RSSI), more customers mayqualify for cellular-based services. The bridge unit 70 thus provides avirtual Ethernet connection between the alarm controller 24 and thewireless transceiver 36 (such as a cellular data transceiver). Moreover,home-networking standards (such as G.hn) may be used with batterybackup.

Exemplary embodiments also please customers. As most customers prefer tohave the cabinet 40 (with the alarm controller 24) installed in an areahidden from general view, exemplary embodiments eliminate drilling andinstallation of new cable in the customer's home or office. Theinstalling technician merely locates an electrical receptacle outlet 52having desirable radio reception. All that is required is a quick,conventional insertion of the bridge unit 70 into the electricalreceptacle outlet 52. The bridge unit 70 then begins communicating usingthe power-line communications 50. The installation is very quick andsimple and requires no drilling. Minimal interruption pleases nearlyevery customer.

The bridge unit 70 thus reduces installation time and effort. Theinstalling technician roams the premises and determines the bestlocation for obtaining the optimizing RSSI. Because the bridge unit 70is small in size, the bridge unit 70 easily installs in an AC outletnear a window and/or outside wall. The installing technician thusvisually knows that the RSSI is “Good” or even better, based oninstalling an actual cellular data transceiver. The installingtechnician thus optimizes the location of the bridge unit 70independently from optimizing the location of the alarm controller 24.

The bridge unit 70 is universal. As receptacle outlets are almostuniversally found throughout the world, the bridge unit 70 is easilyadapted to any country and to any standard. In North America, forexample, the male blades or pins 76 are standardized according to theNational Electrical Manufacturers Association (or “NEMA”). However,Australia uses a different configuration, while the United Kingdom usesyet another different configuration. Exemplary embodiments, though, maybe tailored to suit any size, number, and orientation of any country orstandard.

FIGS. 10-12 are schematics illustrating another bridging solution,according to exemplary embodiments. Here the wireless transceiver 36 mayhave a separate power supply 100. The AC-to-Power-over-Ethernet (PoE)power supply 100 plugs into any electrical receptacle outlet 52 usingthe familiar corded plug 102. An Ethernet cable 104 extends from theAC-to-Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) power supply 100 to the wirelesstransceiver 36 using industry standard Power-over-Ethernet technologywhich enables power and data communications to be simultaneously carriedover the Ethernet cable (Cat5/6) 104. Exemplary embodiments thus provideanother installation solution. There will be instances in which thelocation of desired cellular reception is not near an electrical outlet.For example, many attic or roof areas have limited access to electricalpower. Indeed, many homes may only have a single electrical outlet 52 inthe attic area. The location of this single electrical outlet 52,though, may not have adequate wireless reception. FIGS. 10-12 thusillustrate a cabling solution in which the wireless transceiver 36 mayagain be remotely located from the AC-to-Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) powersupply 100. That is, the AC-to-Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) power supply100 plugs into the (perhaps only) receptacle outlet 52 in some area(such as the attic 44, as FIG. 10 illustrates). The Ethernet cable 104plugs into the power supply 100 and runs to the remote location of thewireless transceiver 36. Again, then, the installing technician may roamthe premises and select the best location of signal strength. Thewireless transceiver 36 is installed for best reception, and theEthernet cable 104 is installed to the location of theAC-to-Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) power supply 100 at the receptacleoutlet 52. The wireless transceiver 36 and the alarm controller 24utilize the power-line communications 50 to convey alarm messages overthe electrical wiring 64.

FIG. 12 illustrates more details. The AC-to-Power-over-Ethernet (PoE)power supply 100 may internally contain the power circuitry 76 fortransforming the AC electrical power 92 (received from the electricalreceptacle outlet 52) into the direct current (“DC”) electrical power.The power circuitry 76 thus provides electrical power to apower-over-Ethernet (“PoE”) interface 106, which conveys the electricalpower to the wireless transceiver 36 over conductors in the Ethernetcable 104. The power circuitry 76 also provides electrical power to theinternal bi-modal modem 62 for sending and receiving both power and datausing the power-line communications 50. The power supply 100 thusprovides electrical power over the Ethernet cable 104 to the radiocircuitry 74 in the wireless transceiver 36.

Exemplary embodiments thus provide a PLC-to-PoE-to-CDT bridge. TheAC-to-Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) power supply 100 receives both power anddata using the power-line communications 50 from the electricalreceptacle outlet 52. The AC-to-Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) power supply100 may then perform a first conversion or transformation frompower-line communications to power-over-Ethernet. Data and messages arethus conveyed over the Ethernet cable 104 to the wireless transceiver36. The wireless transceiver 36 also has the power-over-Ethernet (“PoE”)interface 106 for sending and receiving data and power. The wirelesstransceiver 36 then sends and receives the data and messages usingcellular radio techniques. Exemplary embodiments thus perform twotransformations from power-line communications to power-over-Ethernetand then a second transformation to cellular data transmission.

As FIG. 12 also illustrates, the AC-to-Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) powersupply 100 may also internally contain the backup battery 60. When thepower supply 100 detects a failure of the AC electrical power 92 fromthe receptacle outlet 52, the AC-to-Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) powersupply 100 may switch to the backup battery 60. The backup battery 60provides direct current electrical power to the internal bi-modal modem62, thus maintaining the data communications 50 during an electricaloutage. The backup battery 60 may also provide the direct currentelectrical power to the power-over-Ethernet (“PoE”) interface 106, thusmaintaining Ethernet communications with the wireless transceiver 36during the electrical outage. The backup battery 60 may also provide thedirect current electrical power to the power conductors in the Ethernetcable 104, thus also powering the wireless transceiver 36 during theelectrical outage. However, the wireless transceiver 36 may have its owninternal backup battery 60.

The AC-to-Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) power supply 100 may have networkingdetails. As the AC-to-Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) power supply 100 mayconnect to the Ethernet cable 104, the power supply 100 may include anyconnector that accepts the Ethernet cable 104. TheAC-to-Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) power supply 100, for example, may havea female data jack that accepts a male plug (such as RJ-56). The femaledata jack has multiple electrical pins, some of which may be energizedwith the direct current battery power provided by the backup battery 60.The Ethernet cable 104 may thus easily insert into theAC-to-Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) power supply 100 using familiarnetworking components.

The AC-to-Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) power supply 100 may have othercomponents. The AC-to-Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) power supply 100, forexample, may have a relay. The relay is ordinarily energized by eitherAC power or the DC power transformed by the power supply 100. However,when the power supply 100 fails to receive the AC power, or fails totransform the DC power, the relay de-energizes. De-energization opens orcloses the relay (depending on design). Regardless, de-energizationcauses the relay to switch into electrical contact with the backupbattery 60, which also electrically connects the direct current batterypower to the bi-modal modem 62, to the female data jack (aboveexplained), and/or to the blades or pins of the corded plug 102 thatinsert into the electrical receptacle outlet 52. The data communications50 is thus maintained during a failure, as above explained.

FIGS. 13-14 are schematics illustrating more details of power-linecommunications, according to exemplary embodiments. FIG. 13 illustratesthe processor 78 and memory 80 contained within the bridge unit 70and/or the power supply 100. Regardless, the processor 78 (e.g., “μP”),application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other componentexecutes an application 110 stored in the memory 80. The application 110includes instructions or code that causes the processor 78 to performoperations, such as monitoring the DC electrical power 112 transformedby the power circuitry 76. The application 110 instructs the processor78 to periodically, continually, or randomly compare the DC electricalpower 112 to a minimum threshold 114. Should the DC electrical power 112fall below the minimum threshold 114, the application 110 may infer apower failure 116. For example, the power failure 116 may indicate anerror or failure of the power circuitry 76, a tripped circuit breaker inthe electrical wiring (illustrated as reference numeral 64 in FIG. 12),or an outage in the electrical grid. Whatever the cause, the minimumthreshold 114 indicates some failure in power.

FIG. 14 illustrates energization. Once the power failure 116 isdetermined, the application 110 may revert to backup power from thebackup battery 60. Some of the direct current (“DC”) battery power 112may be provided to the radio circuitry 74, to the power circuitry 76, tothe bi-modal modem 62, and/or to the power-over-Ethernet (“PoE”)interface 106. However, some of the direct current battery power 112 mayadditionally or alternatively be provided to the electrical wiring 64.The backup battery 60 may thus be physically or inductively connected toenergize the electrical wiring 64. Even though the power failure 116 isdetected, energization of the electrical wiring 64 may also maintain thepower-line communications 50. For example, some of the DC battery power112 may be applied to the blades or pins 76 (as illustrated withreference to FIG. 5) or the corded plug 102 (as illustrated withreference to FIGS. 11-12). The DC battery power 112 thus energizes thereceptacle outlet 52 (and/or thus the electrical wiring 64) to maintainthe power-line communications 50 during a failure.

The security system 20 remains functional during outages. The electricalgrid ordinarily transforms higher voltage (or “medium voltage”) sections(approximately 1,000 Volts to 100,000 Volts) into low voltage sections(typically 120 Volts) that serve each premise. Each home or business hasthe electrical wiring 56 that distributes electrical common, neutral,and ground wires to each electrical receptacle outlet 52. However,during an electrical outage, the power-line communications 50 mayordinarily be inoperative. Exemplary embodiments, though, use the backupbattery 60 to maintain the data communications 50.

Exemplary embodiments thus provide an elegant solution. Power-linecommunications ordinarily modulate and demodulate a carrier signal withdigital data onto the base 50 Hz or 60 Hz alternating current (AC)electrical power. However, during an electrical power failure, theelectrical wiring 64 is de-energized, so the power-line communications50 ordinarily fail. Exemplary embodiments, instead, apply the backupbattery 60 to keep the bi-modal modem 62 operational during poweroutages. Exemplary embodiments thus remain compliant with standard UL985, which specifies requirements for household fire warning systemunits.

Exemplary embodiments may be applied to any networking component. Thepower supply 100, for example, may interface with a camera, microphone,printer, router, or any networking component. The Ethernet cable 104, inother words, may extend from the power supply 100 to any networkingcomponent. The power supply 100 receives both power and data using thepower-line communications 50 from the electrical receptacle outlet 52.The power supply 100 performs a transformation from power-linecommunications to power-over-Ethernet, thus conveying the data andelectrical power over the Ethernet cable 104. The networking componentalso has the power-over-Ethernet (“PoE”) interface 106 for interfacingwith the Ethernet cable 104, thus receiving the data and power. If thepower supply 100 detects the power failure 116, the power supply 100uses the backup battery 60 to maintain the data communications 50 in theelectrical wiring 56. So, exemplary embodiments may be used to maintainvideo, audio, routing, printing, and any other functions duringelectrical outages. Exemplary embodiments may thus energize thepower-line communications 50 using any serial and/or parallelcombination of one or more different backup batteries 60.

FIGS. 15-16 are flowcharts illustrating a method or algorithm forpower-line communications, according to exemplary embodiments. Data andalternating current electrical power are received using an interface forpower-line communications (Block 200). The alternating currentelectrical power is transformed into direct current electrical power(Block 202). The direct current electrical power is provided to a powerover Ethernet (“PoE”) interface (Block 204) and to the bi-modal modem 62(Block 206). When the power failure 116 is determined (Block 208), anelectrical connection is made to the internal backup battery 60 fordirect current battery power (Block 210). The direct current batterypower is provided to the power over Ethernet (“PoE”) interface (Block212) and to the bi-modal modem 62 (Block 214).

The flowchart continues with FIG. 16. The direct current battery powermay also be provided to the electrical wiring 64 (Block 216). The directcurrent battery power maintains the power-line communications 50 duringthe failure (Block 218). The direct current battery power may also beprovided to the cellular data transceiver (“DCT”) (Block 220)

FIG. 17 is a schematic illustrating still more exemplary embodiments.FIG. 17 is a more detailed diagram illustrating a processor-controlleddevice 300. As earlier paragraphs explained, exemplary embodiments mayoperate in any processor-controlled device. FIG. 17, then, illustratesthe application 110 stored in a memory subsystem of theprocessor-controlled device 300. One or more processors communicate withthe memory subsystem and execute either, some, or all applications.Because the processor-controlled device 300 is well known to those ofordinary skill in the art, no further explanation is needed.

Exemplary embodiments may be applied regardless of networkingenvironment. Exemplary embodiments may be easily adapted to cellular,WI-FI®, BLUETOOTH®, and/or near-field networking technologies, as thisdisclosure explains. Indeed, exemplary embodiments may utilize anyportion of the electromagnetic spectrum and any signaling standard (suchas the IEEE 802 family of standards, GSM/CDMA/TDMA or any cellularstandard, and/or the ISM band). Exemplary embodiments may use theradio-frequency domain and/or the Internet Protocol (IP) domain.Exemplary embodiments may be applied to electrical powerline wiringand/or any distributed computing network, such as the Internet(sometimes alternatively known as the “World Wide Web”), an intranet, alocal-area network (LAN), and/or a wide-area network (WAN). Exemplaryembodiments may be applied regardless of physical componentry, physicalconfiguration, or communications standard(s).

Exemplary embodiments may utilize any processing component,configuration, or system. The processor 78 may be one or multipleprocessors, which could include distributed processors or parallelprocessors in a single machine or multiple machines. The processor 78may be used in supporting a virtual processing environment. Theprocessor 78 could include a state machine, application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), programmable gate array (PGA) including aField PGA, or state machine. When the processor 78 executes instructionsto perform “operations”, this could include the processors performingthe operations directly and/or facilitating, directing, or cooperatingwith another device or component to perform the operations.

Exemplary embodiments may be physically embodied on or in acomputer-readable storage medium. This computer-readable medium mayinclude CD-ROM, DVD, tape, cassette, floppy disk, memory card, USB, andlarge-capacity disks. This computer-readable medium, or media, could bedistributed to end-subscribers, licensees, and assignees. A computerprogram product comprises processor-executable instructions for directcurrent energization, as the above paragraphs explained.

While the exemplary embodiments have been described with respect tovarious features, aspects, and embodiments, those skilled and unskilledin the art will recognize the exemplary embodiments are not so limited.Other variations, modifications, and alternative embodiments may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the exemplaryembodiments.

1. A method, comprising: receiving messages sent from an alarmcontroller to a wireless transceiver using power-line communications fora security system; demodulating the messages from alternating currentelectrical power; and wirelessly transmitting the messages from thewireless transceiver.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprisingdetermining a failure of the alternating current electrical power. 3.The method of claim 2, further comprising connecting to a backup batteryin response to the failure of the alternating current electrical power.4. The method of claim 3, further comprising transmitting the messagesfrom the wireless transceiver using direct current battery powersupplied by the backup battery.
 5. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising powering a modem with the direct current battery power tomaintain communications with the alarm controller.
 6. The method ofclaim 5, further comprising powering an interface forpower-over-Ethernet communications between the modem and the wirelesstransceiver.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising transformingthe alternating current electrical power into direct current electricalpower.
 8. A method, comprising: receiving, at a bridge unit, alarmmessages sent from an alarm controller that are modulated ontoalternating current electrical power using an interface for power-linecommunications; wirelessly transmitting the alarm messages from thebridge unit; determining, by the bridge unit, a failure of thealternating current electrical power; switching, by the bridge unit, toan internal backup battery in response to the failure of the alternatingcurrent electrical power; and energizing, by the bridge unit, theinterface for the power-line communications with direct current batterypower supplied by the backup battery to maintain the power-linecommunications.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising energizingan internal wireless transceiver with the direct current battery powersupplied by the backup battery.
 10. The method of claim 9, furthercomprising determining a strength of a signal received by the wirelesstransceiver while energized with the direct current battery powersupplied by the backup battery.
 11. The method of claim 8, furthercomprising powering a modem with the direct current battery power tomaintain communications with the alarm controller.
 12. The method ofclaim 11, further comprising powering an interface forpower-over-Ethernet communications between the modem and the wirelesstransceiver.
 13. The method of claim 8, further comprising transformingthe alternating current electrical power into direct current electricalpower.
 13. The method of claim 8, further comprising energizing aconductor in an Ethernet cable with the direct current battery powersupplied by the backup battery.
 14. The method of claim 8, furthercomprising demodulating the alarm messages from the alternating currentelectrical power.
 15. A bridge unit, comprising: a power circuit; acellular data transceiver; a backup battery; an enclosure internallyhousing the power circuit, the cellular data transceiver, and the backupbattery; a processor; and a memory storing instructions that whenexecuted cause the processor to perform operations, the operationscomprising: receiving data sent from an alarm controller, the datamodulated onto alternating current electrical power using an interfacefor power-line communications; determining a failure of direct currentelectrical power transformed from the alternating current electricalpower by the power circuit; switching to the backup battery in responseto the failure of the direct current electrical power; powering thecellular data transceiver with direct current battery power supplied bythe backup battery to maintain cellular communications; and powering theinterface for the power-line communications with the direct currentbattery power supplied by the backup battery.
 16. The bridge unit ofclaim 15, wherein the operations further comprise determining a strengthof a cellular signal received by the cellular data transceiver.
 17. Thebridge unit of claim 16, further comprising a visual indicator of thestrength of the cellular signal received by the cellular datatransceiver.
 18. The bridge unit of claim 15, wherein the operationsfurther comprise determining a strength of a cellular signal received bythe cellular data transceiver while powered by the direct currentbattery power supplied by the backup battery.
 19. The bridge unit ofclaim 18, further comprising a visual indicator of the strength of thecellular signal received by the cellular data transceiver.
 20. Thebridge unit of claim 15, further comprising a modem internally housedwithin the enclosure, the modem demodulating the data from thealternating current electrical power.